Premier League previews, correct scores and tips – 17 October

The Premier League is back this weekend, with Jurgen Klopp managing Liverpool for the first time

The Euro 2016 qualifying matches did get mildly exciting over the past fortnight, although there’s nothing like Premier League football and we have an exciting round of fixtures to enjoy this weekend.

Things kick off on Saturday lunchtime with Tottenham Hotspur against Liverpool. All eyes will be on Jurgen Klopp who has just taken the reins at Anfield, with the German promising an attacking brand of football.

Champions Chelsea have had a horrible start to the campaign although matches don’t come much easier than Aston Villa at home, while Crystal Palace and West Ham clash in a London derby at Selhurst Park.

Everton and Manchester United meet at Goodison Park, while Premier League leaders Manchester City entertain Bournemouth without Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

Southampton are odds-on to beat a Leicester side who continue to land good results as the season wears on, while West Brom meet a Sunderland team who will surely be a lot harder to beat under Sam Allardyce than they were under Dick Advocaat.

Chelsea v Aston Villa 15:00
Chelsea would normally be banker material but just one game from four has been won at the Bridge. Plus Jose Mourinho has players returning from all corners of the globe. Villa can at least keep things tight.

Crystal Palace v West Ham 15:00
Palace at odds-on have to be swerved here. West Ham have been outstanding on the road and Slaven Bilic has shown himself to be the master of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City already.

Everton v Man Utd 15:00
Everton aren’t going to lose many at Goodison this season and they have John Stones and Seamus Coleman back. Manchester United are a weirdly dysfunctional team who could suffer another away defeat here.

Man City v Bournemouth 15:00
No Aguero or Silva for a City team who blitzed Newcastle last time out despite the visitors running the show early on. Bournemouth have their own injury woes and they look too shabby at the back to contain Wilfried Bony and Kevin de Bruyne.

Southampton v Leicester 15:00
Are Saints good enough to be odds-on? Probably not, considering Leicester are unbeaten on the road this term. Jamie Vardy is scoring for fun and Riyad Mahrez has also been outstanding. This game looks certain to have goals.

West Brom v Sunderland 15:00
The Baggies have yet to win at The Hawthorns and they are surely playing Sunderland at the wrong time. Sam Allardyce has inherited the mantle and his team can defend for a point here.

Watford v Arsenal 17:30
The Hornets are tough nuts to crack at Vicarage Road and will be out to thwart an Arsenal side who have had several players on international duty. The Gunners will probably come out on top but it will be close.